Arugula Salad With Parmesan

By Ali Slagle

Published July 15, 2022

Arugula Salad With Parmesan
Bobbi Lin for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Eugene Jho. Prop Stylist: Christina Lane.
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(1,418)
Comments
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Emulsifying a dressing isn’t essential for a sublime salad: Instead, think of the oil and acid as seasonings for a vegetable. For this recipe, that’s spicy arugula, dressed with olive oil, lemon and shards of Parmesan to create a salad classic in many Italian restaurants and homes. But whether olive oil or lemon should come first, like all seemingly simple questions, is complicated. James Beard, Marcella Hazan, Deborah Madison and Judy Rodgers all concurred: For a brighter-tasting salad, start with olive oil, which better adheres the liquids to the greens and doesn’t obscure the lemon. Be sure to use full-flavored greens, then taste the dressed leaves and adjust seasonings until the arugula tastes like its greatest self.

Featured in: 20 Easy Salads for Every Summer Table

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 4 to 5ounces baby arugula
  • 1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 2teaspoons fresh lemon juice, plus more as needed
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
  • 2ounces Parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

94 calories; 7 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 6 grams protein; 176 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the arugula in a very large bowl, ideally one that could hold twice as many leaves. Drizzle over the olive oil and use your hands to toss lightly, then add the lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon salt. Lightly toss the greens until they are evenly glossy; avoid overmixing or crushing the greens.

  2. Step 2

    Add the Parmesan and toss just to incorporate. Taste. If the salad is too sharp, add another drop of oil and toss. If the salad is dull, add a sprinkle of salt and some lemon juice and toss. Eat right away.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
1,418 user ratings
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Comments

e edwards

Why not just skip the olive oil and make this with walnut oil for a change? It is unbeatable with arugula and Parmesan cheese. Toss with pine nuts.

Eve V

Any green salad works well with this dressing technique. Toss greens in oil, then salt, which will stick to the oil, then acid, lemon or vinegar, which will not wilt the greens protected by the oil.

Nancy

I’ve made this salad many times. Personally, I like to use finely grated Parmesan instead of shaved, and I also use freshly ground pepper (just a little). Grating the Parmesan makes for a more evenly flavored salad imo.

Seany B

Love this salad! I subbed out the arugula for spinach, olive oil melted butter, lemon juice for kiwi slices, and Parmesan for American cheese. Delicious!

Avery

I am surprised how good this simple salad was. My wife just loved it, so of course it gets top marks from me. I will make it again, maybe with some of the changes recommended in the comments.

Debbie

I love this salad. It is absolutely perfect. You aren’t left with a bunch of salad dressing. You use just small amount of olive oil and lemon juice. The taste is amazing. BTW, I have tried it with walnut oil as suggested by others. It is good, but it isn’t as clean a flavor profile as the olive oil version. The walnut oil version tastes heavier and the lemon doesn’t through as well.

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